Energy Vault to Deliver 100 MW Battery System for Victoria’s Renewable Energy
Energy Vault (“Energy Vault” or the “Company”), a global leader in sustainable energy storage solutions, has announced a significant agreement with the Victorian government-owned renewable energy company, the State Electricity Commission (SEC). Under this agreement, Energy Vault will supply and integrate a 100 MW/200 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at the SEC Renewable Energy Park – Horsham, located in Victoria, Australia. This strategic initiative is a major milestone in Victoria’s transition toward a renewable, reliable, and affordable energy future.
Overview of the SEC Renewable Energy Park – Horsham
The SEC Renewable Energy Park – Horsham is a landmark project in Australia’s renewable energy landscape, marking one of the first 100% publicly owned, utility-scale renewable energy projects in the country. This initiative is crucial for Victoria’s decarbonization efforts and energy security, particularly as the state moves away from fossil fuel dependence. The park integrates a hybrid energy generation system, combining photovoltaic solar power with advanced battery storage technology to provide a reliable, clean energy supply to the grid.
The solar farm at the Renewable Energy Park features over 212,000 photovoltaic (PV) panels, generating approximately 119 MW of solar power. This extensive solar array has the capacity to produce around 242,000 MWh of renewable electricity annually. By integrating Energy Vault’s grid-forming BESS, the project ensures that the renewable energy generated is effectively stored and dispatched during peak demand periods, enhancing grid stability and energy security for Victoria’s residents.
Economic and Environmental Impact
The SEC’s $370 million investment in this large-scale renewable energy initiative is expected to yield substantial economic and environmental benefits. The project will generate enough clean electricity to power approximately 51,000 homes across Victoria, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously bolstering local employment opportunities. During the construction phase, the initiative is set to create around 246 jobs, stimulating economic growth in the Horsham region.
The integration of a high-capacity BESS is a game-changer for the efficiency of the renewable energy park. With a two-hour storage duration, the 100 MW/200 MWh battery system will provide firm, dispatchable power, ensuring that renewable energy is available when it is most needed. This addresses one of the key challenges of renewable energy—intermittency—by offering a stable and continuous power supply to meet the electricity needs of consumers.
Energy Vault’s Cutting-Edge Technology and System Integration
Energy Vault will deploy its proprietary X-VAULT™ integration platform for the BESS, leveraging the company’s state-of-the-art UL9540 certified B-VAULT™ product. The system will be controlled and optimized by the VaultOS™ Energy Management System, ensuring seamless and efficient operation of the hybrid solar and battery storage project.
One of the standout features of Energy Vault’s system architecture is its flexibility and adaptability. The company’s technology allows for customization with different battery and inverter suppliers, accommodating the specific needs of any project. Additionally, the ability to deploy both AC-coupled and DC-coupled configurations provides enhanced adaptability, allowing for easy integration into various renewable energy infrastructures.
Robert Piconi, Chairman and CEO of Energy Vault, emphasized the significance of this collaboration: “We are pleased to further expand our footprint of energy storage systems in the dynamic and rapidly growing Australian market and work with SEC on this innovative hybrid project architecture. As our first government collaboration, this publicly-owned project aligns perfectly with our mission to accelerate the clean energy transition through sustainable and efficient energy storage solutions. This project will play a pivotal role in ensuring the availability of renewable energy for Victoria.”
SEC CEO Chris Miller echoed this sentiment, stating, “We’re looking forward to working with Energy Vault on the delivery and integration of the battery storage system at the SEC Renewable Energy Park – Horsham. This project is a testament to SEC’s commitment to driving Victoria’s transition to renewables and ensuring energy security for future generations.”
Australia’s Growing Renewable Energy Storage Market
Australia is undergoing a rapid transformation in its energy sector, with battery energy storage playing a crucial role in enabling the large-scale adoption of renewables. Victoria, in particular, has been at the forefront of these efforts, with ambitious renewable energy targets and investments in grid modernization initiatives.
Energy Vault’s latest project in Horsham is part of a broader trend of increased investment in energy storage solutions. The Australian market has seen significant growth in battery storage deployments, with a strong emphasis on hybrid systems that integrate solar, wind, and storage technologies. The success of projects like the SEC Renewable Energy Park – Horsham will serve as a model for future developments, showcasing how energy storage can enhance the reliability and economic viability of renewable energy projects.
Today’s announcement represents a major milestone in Energy Vault’s expansion in the Australian market. The company has been making strategic moves to establish itself as a key player in the region, with several high-profile agreements already in place. This includes partnerships with energy companies such as Enervest and ACEN Australia for additional battery storage deployments.
Energy Vault’s growing B-VAULT portfolio now boasts over 2 GWh of projects, either deployed or in development. This rapid expansion underscores the increasing demand for energy storage solutions and highlights the company’s role in shaping the future of the global energy landscape.
Timeline and Future Developments
Preconstruction activities for the SEC Renewable Energy Park – Horsham commenced this week, signaling the beginning of an exciting phase in Victoria’s renewable energy expansion. The full-scale deployment of the battery energy storage system is expected to take place over the coming years, with full operational status anticipated by late 2027.
As construction progresses, the project will undergo various stages of testing and optimization to ensure seamless integration with the broader energy grid. The hybrid system’s performance will be closely monitored to evaluate its impact on grid reliability and efficiency.
Looking ahead, the SEC Renewable Energy Park – Horsham is expected to set a precedent for future publicly owned renewable energy projects. By demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of integrating battery storage with large-scale solar generation, the project will pave the way for further advancements in Australia’s clean energy transition.
